Serological responses of specific pathogen-free foals to equine herpesvirus-1: primary and secondary infection, and reactivation.

Serum antibody (virus neutralisation, complement fixation, IgM and IgG) responses to equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) infection were measured in six foals which were initially free from EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection and maternally-derived antibodies. Following primary infection, high titres of virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies were detectable against EHV-1, however, corresponding antibody levels against EHV-4 were low or inapparent, although the two viruses share a number of cross-reactive epitopes. In addition, following the primary infection with EHV-1, IgM levels increased before those of IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies, peaked sooner and thereafter declined. Stimulation of IgM levels was observed on secondary infection with EHV-1 given 61 days later. In contrast, IgG, virus neutralisation and complement fixation antibodies following primary infection were more sustained and no increase in their levels was observed on secondary infection. No consistent changes in IgM or IgG levels were seen after administration of dexamethasone to reactivate latent virus.     

Dose response of weeds to methyl iodide and methyl bromide

Labonuory bioassay and field experiments were conducted to characterize the dose response of weeds to methyl iodide and methyl bromide as soil fumigants. The patterns in potency of both fumigants and in sensitivity of diffcretit weed species to the fumigants were distinguished with the use of logistic dose-response models. Similar to its response to methyl hromide fumigation. Amaranthus retrofleus L. was the most sensitive to methyl iodide fumigation. Cyperus rotundtis L. was the least sensitive to methyl iodide fumigation, whereas Portuloca oleracea L. was the least sensitive to methyl hromide. Lolium multiflorum Lam. Abutilon theophrasti Medik. Chenopodium album L. P. ateracea . Brassica kaber (D.C.) L.C. Wheeler and Cyperus escuden-tus L. were similar in sensitivity to methyl iodide. Methyl iodide was as potent as methyl bromide for A. retroflexus but more potent than methyl bromide for L. multiflorum , A. theophrasti. C. album. P. oleracea. B. kaber, C. esculentus and C. rotundus. The dose response for weeds in the field was similar to that obtained in laboratory bioassays. Under fieid conditions. 280 kg ha^-1 methyl iodide killed all species tested except Solanum nigrum L Methyl iodide appears to be a suitable replacement for meihyl bromide because it can be used in situations simitar to methyl bromide fumigation, has superior efficacy against a broad spectrum of pests and has a low potential for degrading the earth's ozone lavers.     

Glugea heraldi n. sp. (Microsporida, Glugeidae) from the seahorse Hippocampus erectus Perry

Abstract. A new species of Microsporida, Glugea heraldi , is described from the seahorse Hippocampus erectus . Measurements of fixed spores and notes on the histopathology of parasitized tissue are given.     

A comparison of some red and yellow earths in tropical queensland and northeast Brazil

Red and yellow earths are kaolinitic and generally sesquioxidic soils having massive B horizons with porous, earthy fabrics and weak profile differentiation but usually displaying a gradual increase in clay content with depth. They are widespread in tropical Queensland and northeast Brazil where comparable climates prevail although the vegetation is markedly different. Their parent materials are mostly quartzitic sedimentary rocks or unconsolidated sediments and the soils occur in a wide variety of topographic and geomorphic situations. In both regions it is probable that many of the soils have not formed under the present climatic conditions.Profile morphology, drainage, silt and clay contents, clay mineralogy, and soil chemistry have been compared and contrasted between the red and yellow earths within and between the two regions. Canonical variate analysis has shown that, on the basis of surface soil chemical attributes, the red earths can be separated from the yellow earths within each region and that the Queensland soils can be separated from the Brazilian soils.     

抗热应激药物对肉仔鸡血浆激素及组织学的影响

本试验研究了抗应激药物（抗应激Ⅱ、Ⅲ号）对人工高温下肉仔鸡血浆部分激素和组织学的影响。分别于升温至２８℃、３２℃、３６℃后半小时及３６℃维持５天后采血测定。结果表明：抗热应激Ⅱ和Ⅲ号均可降低热应激时肉仔鸡血浆中的ＡＣＴＨ、ＧＬＵ（Ｐ＜０．０５）和皮质酮（Ⅲ号,Ｐ＜０．０１）;使温度上升期间血浆Ｔ３浓度增加（Ｐ＜０．０５）而Ｔ４降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）,使在３６℃维持５天的血浆Ｔ３、Ｔ４含量均降低（Ｐ＜０．０５）;升高血中的淋巴细胞,而降低中性粒细胞;减轻热应激时主要器官的组织学改变。提示抗应激Ⅱ、Ⅲ号药物具有较好的抗热应激效果,以饲料中添加０．２２５％的Ⅲ号效果最佳。     

Use of intralesional cisplatin to successfully treat distal limb haemangiosarcoma in a foal

A 4-month old, 200 kg, grey warmblood colt presented for a firm, non painful mass on the distal medial aspect of the left third metatarsus. Excisional biopsy revealed a diagnosis of haemangiosarcoma. Equine haemangiosarcoma is uncommon and only limited reports of successful treatment are available. The prognosis for survival is therefore considered to be poor. After two separate incidences of recurrence with incomplete excision of the tumour, intralesional treatment with cisplatin without excision or debulking was performed on three separate occasions. Intralesional cisplatin injection was performed at monthly intervals for three treatments. Four years post treatment with cisplatin, the horse remained in remission. This case report describes the diagnostic and treatment challenges for successful treatment of a primary haemangiosarcoma on the distal limb of a warmblood foal using intralesional cisplatin chemotherapy.     

Multiple striate keratotomy: a treatment for corneal erosions caused by epithelial basement membrane disease

Objective To study the efficacy of multiple striate keratotomy for the treatment of persistent corneal erosions suspected to be caused by primary corneal epithelial basement membrane disease.
Design A retrospective study.
Animals 16 dogs, three cats and one Australian dingo.
Procedure A technique called multiple striate keratotomy was used to treat twenty animals suffering from persistent corneal erosions.
Results All persistent corneal erosions healed with only one treatment. Most cases healed within 2 weeks. One case developed a second erosion in the same eye but in a different position to the original erosion.
Conclusions Multiple striate keratotomy is a safe, effective and well tolerated technique for the treatment of persistent corneal erosions thought to be caused by corneal epithelial basement membrane disease.     

Chlamydia psittaci: a suspected cause of reproductive loss in three Victorian horses

Chlamydia psittaci was detected by PCR in the lung and equine foetal membranes of two aborted equine foetuses and one weak foal from two different studs in Victoria, Australia. The abortions occurred in September 2019 in two mares sharing a paddock northeast of Melbourne. The weak foal was born in October 2019 in a similar geographical region and died soon after birth despite receiving veterinary care. The detection of C. psittaci DNA in the lung and equine foetal membranes of the aborted or weak foals and the absence of any other factors that are commonly associated with abortion or neonatal death suggest that this pathogen may be the cause of the reproductive loss. The detection of C. psittaci in these cases is consistent with the recent detection of C. psittaci in association with equine abortion in New South Wales. These cases in Victoria show that C. psittaci, and the zoonotic risk it poses, should be considered in association with equine reproductive loss in other areas of Australia.     

Dicoumarol toxicity in cattle associated with ingestion of silage containing sweet vernal grass (Anthoxanthum odoratum)

A diagnosis of dicoumarol toxicity in a herd of Friesian cattle was made following investigation of the deaths of three mature cows and eleven yearling heifers. Affected stock had been fed wrapped, bailed silage containing approximately 90% sweet vernal grass ( Anthoxanthum odoratum ). Sweet vernal grass contains coumarin, which can be converted to dicoumarol, a vitamin K antagonist, through the action of moulds. Most deaths were preceded by lethargy, severe anaemia and subcutaneous and internal haemorrhage. Dicoumarol toxicosis was suspected based on clinical signs, necropsy findings and prolonged prothrombin and activated partial thromboplastin times. Dicoumarol analysis of blood from affected animals and silage confirmed the diagnosis.